This isn't the first time the province has subsidized transfers between the TTC and GO Transit. The Ontario government under Kathleen Wynne introduced a similar program in 2017, but Doug Ford's government discontinued it in 2020, when funding for the program expired. (J.P. Moczulski/ Canadian Press)
TTC riders will soon be able to transfer to and from GO trains for free.
Subaita Refaaf, a student at the University of Toronto, says she pays a daily transportation cost of $17 from Scarborough, resulting in over $100 per month.
The commute involves two buses, a GO train, and a subway, making it both expensive and time-consuming. However, relief is on the horizon, as starting March 14, commuters will be reimbursed their single-ride TTC fare when transferring to and from GO Transit. Additionally, TTC riders can use their free two-hour transfer with other municipal transit agencies.
This new one-fare program is committed to by the province until March 2026, with the option to extend based on results. While it aims to reduce costs for approximately 29 to 36 million customer trips annually, transit advocate Shelagh Pizey-Allen emphasizes that lower fares alone are not enough. She asserts that better service, permanent provincial funding for the TTC, and a simplified flat-rate fare for all transit in the GTHA are essential for sustaining ridership.
The province, emphasizing affordability, believes that the potential savings from free transfers will attract more people to the transit system. Associate Transportation Minister Vijay Thanigasalam suggests that commuters who regularly transfer between the TTC and GO Transit could save around $1,600 a year. However, some commuters, like Refaaf, believe that while the program is a step in the right direction, addressing issues of reliability and simplicity in transit services is crucial for encouraging daily ridership.
